Lifting jack supports



y 1959 J. F. PALKA LIFTING JACK SUPPORTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 13, 195

INVENTOR. FFczZ/rd,

May 19,1959 9 J. F. PALKA 2,887,290

LIFTING JACK SUPPORTS Filed May 15, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. g Z5 JQfiep/Z FPaZ/m,

J. F. PALKA LIFTING JACK SUPPORTS May 19, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 15, 1954 I INVENTOR. Joaep/z [Pad 6d,- BY v5 Un States Patfit 2,837,290 Lrrrnvc JACK SUPPORTS Joseph F. Palka, Chicago, Ill. A lication May. is, 1954, serial Na. 429,427 1 lsclatnisg onus-#169 The present invention relates to automobile jacks and supports therefor ofthe general nature disclosed in my co-pending applications, filed. November 10, 1953, Serial No.-391,284, now Patent No. 2,790,621, and December 18, 1953, Serial No. 398,944.

i The principal objects of the present invention are substantially the same as stated in my said coapending applications. t

The present inyention embodies supporting means for a lifting jack, including a strut leg wherein a threaded post is positioned for a rotary movement, with means for supporting the upper end of the post at the upper end of the strut leg, with m eans for imparting a rotary move ment to the post. A block in a threaded engagement with the post is positioned within the strutleg for upright shifting movement when a rotary movement is imparted to said post. A load engaging member extending from said block is adapted to shift in a longitudinal direction with relation to said strut leg for either lifting or lowering the load with which said load engaging member is engaged. r i i i A rearsupporting leg pivoted by its upper end adjacent the upper end of said strut leg defines a prop for the latter for preventing rearward shifting thereof during the operation of the jack. A brace engageable by one end with the lower endof said supportingleg, and by the opposite end resting upon the ground, definesa support for the lower end of said strut leg. Said brace and supporting leg being adapted to shift towards said strut leg in the inoperative condition of the jack support for the purpose of folding said three parts into a compact; bundle.

The above described structureis basic to the present disclosure as well as to the said co-pending applications. Another important object of: the present invention is the provision of .a pair of lateral supporting legs pivoted by their upper ends to said supporting leg and foldable thereagainst, said lateral supporting legs shifting upon a plane in a perpendicularrelation to the plane upon which said strut leg, said supporting leg and saidbrace are positioned. a r j Another object of the present invention is the provision of a pair of lateral supporting legs-which may be longer than said supporting leg, with the lower end of the latter in a spaced relation with theground, with one end of said brace engaging said lower end of said supporting leg, in order that in operative position of the support upon the ground the support may be entirely supported upon the ground bythe front end of said brace and lowerends of saidlateral supporting'legs. f

Another object of the present invention is'the provision of a jack support of a modified construction wherein the supporting leg aforesaidhas been eliminated and substituted by a chain, the upper end of 'whichconnects with thejack head and the lower end of which has the rear end of the brace suspendedthereon, with a pair of laterally supporting legs connecting with the jack head by their upper ends. it i i Another object of the present invention is to, generally improve automobile j acley supportsofg the-foldajble type and to render the same foldable and steady in their op- 2,887,290 Patented 5 May 19, 1959 2 eration when in an open position, utilizing the minimum weight of material.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the details of construction of the jack and support therefor of the type hereinabove indicated.

With the above general objects in view and others that will appear as the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and in which like designating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the several ,views;

r Fig. 1 is the side elevational view of the jack and the support therefor while in an open operative position;

Fig. 2 is aside elevational view of the jack and the support therefor while in a folded position;

Fig. 3 is the rear face elevational view of the jack and .the support thereforwith the parts thereof in a folded position, the view having been taken at substantially degrees from that of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the jack and the support therefor while in an open operativeposition;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. l; i Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical cross sectional view through the brace and through thellower end of the strut leg, while the two are in an open operativeposition, illustrating the interconnection between the two;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view on line 77 of Fig. 1 d is- 6; a a

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse cross sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 9 is an: enlarged transverse cross sectional view on line 9- -9 of Fig. 4; i

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary rear elevationalview of the support illustrating, a modified connecting means between the rear supporting leg and a pair of lateral supporting legs; i t r i i Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of the jack support of a modified construction wherein the rear supporting leg has been substituted by a chain;

Fig. 12 is the rear elevational view of the jack. support of a modified construction while in an open operative position;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational .view of the jack head of a modified construction; I

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view on a reduced scale, taken on line 1515 of Fig. 14; A

i Fig. 16 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of theupper end of strut leg illustrating an initial step in the formation of the jack head illustrated inFig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the upper end of the strut leg illustrating one .of' the ultimate steps in the formation of the jack head illustrated in Fig. 14; and

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the upper end of the strut leg illustrating the jack head of another modified construction. 1 i r l Referring in detail to the present drawings the jack disclosed therein includes a housing or head which embodies a pair. of substantially parallelly disposed plates its front edge. Seated upon base 20 is thrust ball bearing 25. Passed through said base 20 and said thrust ball bearing 25 is the smooth upper end of post 26. The major body portion of said post 26 located below said base 20 is threaded and is disposed within said strut leg 24 and extends substantially throughout the length of the latter. The portion of the upper smooth end of said post 26 which remains above said thrust ball bearing 25 is extended through sleeve 27 which is in a rigid relation with said post 26 above said thrust ball bearing 25. The lower end of said sleeve 27 rests upon said thrust ball bearing 25.

Passed through said inclined supporting wall 23 and supported therewithin for rotary movement is shaft 23. The inner end of said shaft 28 remaining within said head connects with the portion of the upper end of said post 26 which remains above said sleeve 27 through the medium of flexible or universal joint 29.

By means ofhandle 30 which engages the outer end of shaft 28 a rotary movement may be imparted to the latter, which movement through the means of said flexible or universal joint 29 is transmitted to said post 26 for the purpose of rotating the latter in either direction.

Said strut leg 24 is substantially U-shaped on transverse cross section. A load engaging member 31 is positioned upon said strut leg 24 in an encompassing relation, and

is actuable by the connecting block (not shown) which is in threaded relation with said post 26. When a rotary movement is imparted to said post 26 in either direction said load engaging member is induced to shift in a vertical direction, upwardly or downwardly depending upon the direction of rotation imparted to said post 26 by means of said shaft 28, universal or flexible joint 29 and handle 30. V

The jack support further includes supporting leg 32, which adjacent its upper end has bend 33 to define extension 34. The free end of the latter is bifurcated for defining a pair of spaced leaves 35 which remain in an embracing relation with the sides of said strut leg 24, and to which they are pivoted by meansof pins or rivets 36, on which said extension 34 and supporting leg 32 are adapted for angular swinging movement with relation tosaid strut leg 24. By virtue of said extension 34 which is in an angular relation with the remaining body portion of leg 32, the latter is adapted to substantially come in parallelism with strut leg 24 when the former is shifted thereto when the jack support assumes a folded position shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Cooperating with strut leg 24 and supporting leg 32 is brace 37 preferably made in a channelled form of metallic sheet material, and is substantially U-shaped on transverse cross section. At one end the top portion of said brace 37 is provided with recess 38 defining a pair of arms 39, the latter defining continuations of the sides of said brace 37. Supporting leg 32 is passed through said recess 38 and is disposed between said arms 39 while the jack support remains in an operative position. The free ends of said arms 39 are connected by an arcuate plate defining yoke 40 which remains in a perpendicular relation with brace 37 and extends beyond the lower edges of the sides of said brace 37 and said arms 39, as is seen in Fig. 1.

The lower end of said supporting leg 32 carries ring 41, rigidly affixed thereto by bolt 42, passed through both in a transverse relation. Said ring 41 carries at its front end either an integrally formed or rigidlyaffixed plate 43 effecting a pair of laterally extending wing plates 44 (Fig. 9). Adjacent the upper edge and centrally thereof said plate 43 is provided with recess 45 for accommodating therewithin the lower edges of the sides of said brace 37, said wings 44 bearing against the outer faces of the sides of said brace 37 preventing the lateral shifting movement of said brace 37 with relation to said plate 43 and leg 32 when the jack support remains "in an operative open position.

ass /s90 As seen in Fig. 1 the end of said brace 37 adjacent said yoke 40 remains in a raised position from the ground when the jack support remains in an operative open position, with said supporting leg 32 itself in a spaced relation with the ground as will be later apparent. The opposite end of said brace 37 carries foot 46 in a pivotal relation with said brace. Said foot 46 being adapted to contact the ground when said jack support remains in its operative open position. i

The sides of strut leg 24 are extended rearwardly to define a pair of leaves 47 which are in an oblique relation with strut leg 24 to correspond to the angular position of brace 37 when the support remains in an operative open position, as is clearly seen in Figs. 1, 6 and 11. The upper edges of said leaves 47 remain unconnected, while adjacent their rearward ends said leaves 47 at their lower edges are connected by strip 48, as is seen in Figs. 6 and 7. Substantially at the central point thereof the upper wall of said brace 37 is provided with crimp 49, which at the upper face of said upper wall of brace 37 defines a depression Within which the lower end of the rear wall of strut leg 24 enters and in which the same is fulcrumed for supporting said strut leg 24 and the load being lifted by the jack. Since the weight of the load .is supported substantially centrally of brace 37 the weight is evenly distributed thereat.

In the folded position of the jack support said brace 37 assumes substantially parallel relation with respect to strut leg 24 and supporting leg 32. Said brace 37 is adapted to angularly turn between said leaves 47 to its folded inoperative position, shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In that inoperative position the body of the brace is interposed between the lower end of the rear Wall of strut leg 24 and the forward edge of said strip 48, filling the space therebetween, as is best seen in Fig. 2.

Coacting with said supporting leg 32 is a pair of lateral supporting legs 50, each made in a substantially v-shaped form on a transverse cross section. The leaves of said lateral supporting legs 50, adjacent their upper ends are bent towards each other for embracing therebetween the ends of plate 51. Rivets 52 or the like define pivots on which said lateral supporting legs 50 are adapted for angular swinging movement to or away from said supporting leg 32.

Ring 53 (Fig. 8) is in an encompassing relation with supporting leg 32 at a point intermediately of both ends of the latter. At the forward point of its periphery ring 53 carries an integrally formed flat piece 54, with the outer face of which plate 51 contacts, the latter being engaged by a pair of lugs 55 extending from said piece 54 and entering said plate '51 for the purpose of preventing any angular shifting movement of the latter with relation to said ring 53 or said supporting leg 32. Bolt 56 passed in a transverse relation through supporting leg 32, ring 53, flat piece 54 and plate 51 interconnects the said parts in a rigid relation, the ends of said bolt 56 are provided with rivet heads. In the folded position said lateral supporting legs 50 assume a substantially parallel relation with said supporting leg 32, as seen in Fig. 3.

The modification shown in Fig. 10 contemplates the provision of angularly disposed extensions 57, whichmay be either single or bifurcated, and if the latter, the same embracing said supporting le'g 32. Bolt 58 passed through said extensions 57 provides a pivot upon which said lateral supporting legs '50 angularly shift to or away from said supporting leg 32.

Coacting with each of said lateral supporting legs 50 is arm 59, the outer end of which enters within the compressions 60 of the leaves of said leg 50,. and wherein said end of arm 59 is pivoted upon bolt 61. The opposite end of each arm '59 is bifurcated to receive the reduced end of pintle 62 which is freely positioned within and extended through the sides of brace 37 and upon which the latter is adapted for angular shifting movestruction is capable of folding.

ment. The bifurcated ends of arms 59 and said reduced ends of pintle 62 are pivotally connected through bolts or rivets63.

During the process of folding of the several parts of the jack supporttherear end of brace 37 is shifted in an upward direction. Since said rear end of brace 37 has yoke 40 the latter will shift along said supporting leg 32 in an upward direction, until said yoke 40 assumes a substantially transverse embracing relation with said supporting leg 32, as is seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The upward shifting movement of said rear end of brace 37 will necessarily shift therewith pintle 62, and the latter will cause the angular shifting movement of arms 59 with relation to said lateral supporting legs 50 and said supporting leg 32, the angular movement of said arms 59 is upon M their pivots 61 and 63 at the outer and inner ends of said arms, respectively. Said outer ends of arms 59,

or lower as viewed in Fig. 3, fold within the pair of leaves of each of said lateral supporting legs 50, as is seen in Fig. 3. i

When said brace 37 is in a folded position it hangs suspended upon said pintle 62 and is prevented from making any longitudinal shifting movement in either direction. This obviates the necessity of any pivot or any other connecting means between said brace 37 and said leaves 47.

The lateral supporting legs 50 are each provided with foot 64 for contacting with the ground and supporting thereon said lateral supporting legs 50, as is seen in Fig. 1.

The modified construction of the jack support, illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, contemplates rearward extension of side plates 19 for effecting a pair of wings 65, which are deflected outwardly from the planes of said side plates 19 and away from each other. Lateral supporting legs 66 are provided with bifurcated ends 67 which are pivoted upon said wings 65 by means of pins 68. Said bifurcated ends 67 rather loosely engage said wings 65 permitting shifting of said lateral supporting leg 66 not only in the direction of said strut leg 24 but also in the direction toward each other.

Said lateral supporting legs 66 at their lower ends are provided with feet 69 for contacting with the ground in the modified construction of the support.

Each of said legs 66 is made of two angularly disposed leaves, and is twisted in the proximity of the bifurcated end 67 as at 70 in order that one leaf in two of said legs 66 may remain on the same rearward plane, as seen in Fig. 12. By virtue of this arrangement arm 71 by its outer end is afiixed in a pivotal relation to said rearwardly disposed leaf of the lateral supporting leg 66, by means of pin 72.

The inwardly disposed endof each arm 71 is bifurcated as at 73 for receiving therewithin the reduced end 74 of pintle 75 which is passed through the sides of brace 37 adjacent the rear end thereof.

Chain 76 by its upper end is rigidly aflixed to either base 20 or vertical wall 22, or to the corner defined by the two, while the lower end of said chain 76 is passed through the upper wall of said brace 37 and is rigidly engaged with said pintle 75.

From the hereinabove description it will be seen that the support of the modified construction, shown in Figs. 11 and 12, is devoid of a rigid supporting leg such as supporting leg 32 in the preferred form of the support. Its I place is taken by said chain 76 upon which hangs the rear end of said brace37. The support of the modified con- In the folded position thereof the inner ends of arms 71 shift upwardly being shifted in that direction with pintle 75, which in turn is shifted to that direction by the rear end of brace 37, similarly as arms 59 in the preferred form of the support.

With the shifting of the rear end of brace 37 towards strut leg 24 said lateral supporting legs 66 will likewise shift towards said strut leg 24 by virtue of the connection of said lateral supporting legs with said brace 37 through the medium of said pintle and arms 71. This said strut 24, brace 37, lateral supporting legs 65 as well as arms 71 will assume substantially vertical contacting position and will present a compact bundle. In the folded position of the support chain 76 will remain in a loose position. i

Referring more particularly to Figs. 14 to 17, inclusive,

the same illustrates the mode of construction of the jack head. The latter is formed out of and adjacent to the upper end of the body of leg strut 24. As preliminary steps in the formation of the head, transverse incision 77 (Fig. 16) is made in the rear wall of strut leg 24 at a desired distance below the upper end of said strut leg 24. A longitudinal incision 78 is made centrally of the rear wall of said strut leg 24, from the upper termination thereof down to said incision 77. The two incisions 77 and 78 will effect a pair of tabs 79, which when bent 24 and rests upon the upper end of the rear wall thereof on the line along which incision 77 was made. From said base 20 vertical wall 22 projects upwardly to the inclined end of said head. Said base 20, vertical wall '22 and inclined wall 23 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the sides of the jack head, which in effect constitute prolongations of the sides of the strut leg24.

The modification illustrated in Fig. 18 contemplates the provision of the jack head out of the upper end of strut leg 24 itself, devoid of any wings such as wings 65 or 80. For this purpose the portion of the rear wall of said strut leg 24 adjacent the upper end thereof is entirely cut away, effecting a pair of leaves 82, having their upper ends bevelled asat 83, to conform to the inclination of inclined plate 23. Base 20, vertical wall 22 and inclined wall 23 are receivable within said leaves 82 and welded or otherwise rigidly affixed thereto. The vertical strut leg 24 from displacement from said brace 37. It is only in the folded position of the support that strip 48 prevents the displacement of brace 37 from strut leg24 in the rearward direction, as is seen in Fig. 2.

While there are described herein preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a lifting jack, a strut leg, said strut leg being adapted for supporting a load engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, a supporting leg pivot ally connected by its upper end to the upper end of said strut leg, said supporting leg being disposed rearwardly of said strut leg a brace, the rear end of said brace .being disengageably connected with the lower end of said supporting leg, the front end of said brace being adapted to rest upon the ground in an operative position of the support, the lower end of said strut leg being supported on said brace substantially in a vertical posi- "tion ata point intermediate of the ends of said brace,

said strut leg, supporting leg and brace being substantially irithe same plane, a pair of lateral supporting legs in a pivotal relation by their upper ends with said supporting leg, in the operative position of the support said lateral supporting legs beingin an angular spaced relation with said supporting leg in aplane transverse to said first named plane, said supporting leg being positioned intermediately of said lateral supporting legs, a pivot member carried by the rear end of said brace, and a pair of arms, the outer ends of said arms connecting with said lateral supporting legs, the inner ends of said arms connecting with said pivot member, the lower ends of said transverse supporting legs being adapted to contact with the ground in the operative position of the support, the

folding of said brace rearwardly of said strut leg concomitantly folding said supporting leg forwardly and said lateral supporting leg inwardly toward said supporting leg.

2. In a lifting jack, a foldable support comprising a strut leg, said strut leg being adapted for supporting a load engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, a supporting leg pivotally connected by its upper end to the upper end of said strut leg, said supporting leg being disposed rearwardly of said strut log, a brace,

the rear end of said brace being disengageably connected with the lower end of said supporting leg, the front end of said brace being adapted to rest upon the ground in an operative position of the support, the lower end of said strut leg being supported on said brace substantially in avertical position at a point intermediate of the ends of said brace, said strut leg, supporting leg and brace being substantially in the same plane, a pair of lateral supporting legs in a pivotal relation by their upper ends with said supporting leg, in the operative position of the support said lateral supporting legs being in an angular spaced relation with said supporting leg in a plane transverse to said first named plane, said supporting leg being positioned intermediately of said lateral supporting legs, in the operative position of the support the lower ends of said transverse supporting legs being adapted to contact with the ground, and means for connecting the lower ends of said lateral supporting legs with the rear end of said brace for limiting the outward shifting movements of said transverse supporting legs away from said supporting leg, in the folded position of the support said strut leg, said brace and said supporting leg adapted to fold into a substantially parallel contacting relation with said brace interposed between said strut leg and said supporting leg, said lateral supporting legs concomitantly being adapted to shift towards said supporting leg to assume therewith a parallel closely spaced relation.

3. In a lifting jack, a support comprising a strut leg, said strut leg being adapted for supporting a load engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, a flexible-supporting member in a downward depending relation with respect to the upper end of the support, said flexible supporting member being disposed rearwardly of said strut leg, a brace, one end of said brace being engaged with the lower end of said flexible supporting member, in the operative position of the support the opposite end of said brace being adapted to rest upon the ground, the lower end of said strut leg being supported upon said brace substantially in a vertical 'posibrace, said flexible supporting member being interposed between said lateral supporting legs, the lower end of said flexible supporting member being in a spaced relation with the ground, the lower ends of said transverse supporting legs being in contact with the ground in the operative position of the support.

4. In a lifting jack, a support comprising a strut leg,

said strut leg being adapted for supporting a load engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, a flexible supporting member aflixed by its upper end to the upper end of said strut leg, said:flexible supporting member being disposed rearwardly of said strut leg, a brace, one end of said brace being engaged with the lower end of said flexible supporting member, in the operative position of the support the opposite end of said brace being adapted to rest upon the ground, the lower end of said strut leg being supported upon said brace substantially in a vertical position at a point intermediate of the ends of said brace, said strut leg, said supporting member and said brace being substantially upon the same plane, and a pair of lateral supporting legs pivotally attached by their upper ends to the upper end of said strut leg, foldable means connecting the lower ends of said lateral supporting legs with said brace, said flexible supporting member being interposed between said lateral supporting legs, said lateral supporting legs being adapted for shifting movement upon the plane transverse to the first named plane, the lower end of said flexible supporting member being in a spaced relation with the ground, the lower ends of said transverse supporting legs being in contact with the ground in the operative position of the support.

5. In a lifting jack, a support comprising a strut leg, said strut leg being adapted for supporting a load engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, a flexible supporting member afiixed by its upper end to the upper end of said strut leg, said flexible supporting memher being disposed rearwardly of said strut leg, a brace, one end of said brace being engaged with the lower end of said flexible supporting member, in the operative position of the support the opposite end of said brace being adapted to rest upon the ground, the lower end of said stmt leg being supported upon said brace substantially in a vertical position at a point intermediate of the ends of said brace, said strut leg, said supporting member and said brace being substantially upon the same plane, a pair of lateral supporting legs pivotally attached by their upper ends to the upper end of said strut leg, said flexible supporting member being interposed between said lateral supporting legs, said lateral supporting legs being adapted for shifting movement upon the plane transverse to the first named plane, the lower end of said flexible supporting member being in a spaced relation with the ground, the lower ends of said transverse supporting legs being in contact with the ground in the operative position of the support, said transverse supporting legs being adapted to shift towards each other in the inoperative position of the support, and means carried by said brace for limiting the outward shifting movement of said transverse supporting legs during the operative position of the support.

6. In a lifting jack having an operative position and an inoperative position, a strut leg adapted for supporting a load-engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, a supporting member, means pivotally connecting one end of said supporting member to one end of said strut leg, a brace, one end of said brace being movably engaged with the second end of said supporting member, the opposite end of said brace being adapted to rest on the ground, the lower end of said strut leg being shiftably connected with said brace intermediate of the ends of said brace and supported thereon substantially in a vertical position of the strut leg, said strut leg, supporting member and brace being substantially in a common vertical plane, and a pair of lateral supporting legs in an upright plane extending transversely to said first-named plane, said supporting member being interposed between said lateral supporting legs and pivotally connected thereto with the lower end of said supporting member spaced from the ground when the lower ends of said transverse supporting legs are in contact with the ground, and foldable means connecting the lateral supporting legs with said brace.

7. In a lifting jack, a strut leg adapted for supporting a load-engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, a supporting leg, means pivotally connecting one end of said supporting leg with one end of the strut leg, a brace movably engaged at one end thereof with the second end of said supporting leg, the opposite end of said brace being adapted to rest on the ground in an operative position of the support, the lower end of said strut leg being shiftably connected with said brace intermediate the ends thereof and supported thereon substantially in a vertical position of the strut leg, said strut leg, supporting leg and brace being substantially in a common vertical plane, a pair of lateral supporting legs in a vertical plane extending transversely to said first-named plane and on opposite sides of said supporting leg in the op erative position of the support, and means pivoting the upper ends of the lateral supporting legs with the firstmentioned supporting leg with the lower end of the firstmentioned supporting leg in spaced relation with the ground when the lower ends of the lateral supporting legs are in contact therewith, and foldable means connecting the lateral supporting legs with said brace.

8. In a lifting jack, a strut leg adapted for supporting a load-engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, a supporting leg, means pivotally connecting one end of said supporting leg with one end of the strut leg, a brace movably engaged at one end thereof with the second end of said supporting leg, the opposite end of said brace being adapted to rest on the ground in an operative position of the support, the lower end of said strut leg being shiftably connected with said brace intermediate theends thereof and supported thereon substantially in a vertical position of the strut leg, said strut leg, supporting leg and brace being substantially in a common vertical plane, a pair of lateral supporting legs in a vertical plane extending transversely to said first-named plane and on opposite sides of said supporting leg in the operative position of the support, and means pivoting the upper ends of the lateral supporting legs with the firstmentioned supporting leg with the lower ends of said lateral supporting legs extending beyond the lower end of said first-mentioned supporting leg for permitting said lateral supporting legs to contact the ground in the operative position of the support and to hold lower end of the first-mentioned supporting leg in spaced relation from the ground, and foldable means connecting the lateral supporting legs with said brace.

9. In a lifting jack having an operative position and an inoperative position, a support comprising a strut leg, said strut leg being adapted for supporting a load-engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, said strut leg including a pair of side Walls and a rear wall, a supporting leg for laterally supporting said strut leg, means pivotally connecting one end of said strut leg to an end of said supporting leg, a brace, one end of said brace being movably engaged with the other end of said supporting leg in a spaced relation with the ground, the opposite end of said brace being adapted to contact the ground while the support remains in an operative position, and a sheath extending from the lower end of said strut leg and slidably receiving the brace within said sheath, said sheath being in oblique relation with said strut leg to conform to the declivity of said brace, the lower end of said rear wall resting upon said brace at a point intermediate the ends of said brace for supporting thereon said strut leg and for distributing the load to both ends of said brace.

10. In a lifting jack having an operative position and an inoperative position, a support comprising a strut leg, said strut leg being adapted for supporting a load-engaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, said strut leg including a pair of side walls and a rear wall, a supporting leg for laterally supporting said strut leg, means connecting one end of said strut leg to an end of said supporting leg, a brace, one end of said brace being adapted to connect with the other end of said supporting leg in a spaced relation with the ground, the opposite end of said brace being adapted to contact the ground while the support remains in an operative position, a pair of leaves extending from said side walls, said leaves being adapted to contact the sides of said brace, and a crimp in the upper wall of said brace, the lower end of the rear wall or said strut leg being adapted to enter said crimp, said crimp being intermediate of the ends of said brace for distributing to both ends of said brace the load supported by said strut leg, said leaves defining means for guarding said strut leg against lateral displacement relative to said brace.

11. In a lifting jack having an operative position and an inoperative position, a support comprising a strut leg, said strut leg being adapted for supporting a load-en gaging member for shifting movement lengthwise thereof, said strut leg including a pair of sidewalls and a rear wall, a supporting leg for laterally supporting said strut leg, means connecting one end of said strut leg to an end of said supporting leg, a brace, one end of said brace being adapted to connect with the other end of said supporting leg in a spaced relation with the ground, the opposite end of said brace being adapted to contact the ground while the support remains in an operative position, a pair of leaves extending from said side walls, said leaves being adapted to contact the sides of said brace, a crimp in the upper wall of said brace, the lower end of the rear wall of said strut leg being adapted to enter said crimp, said crimp being intermediate the ends of said brace for distributing to both ends of said brace the load supported by said strut leg, said leaves defining means for guarding said strut leg against lateral displacement relative to said brace, and a strip connecting the lower edges of said leaves adjacent their outer free ends, in the folded position of the support said brace assuming substantially a vertical contacting position with relation to the rear wall of said strut leg and filling the space defined by said rear wall and said strip.

12. In a lifting jack having an operative position and an inoperative position, a strut leg adapted for supporting a load-engaging member for shifting movement length wise thereof, an inclined brace member having one end adapted to rest upon the ground, the lower end of the strut leg shiftably connected with the brace. intermediate the ends thereof and supported thereon substantially in a vertical position, means pivotally connected with the upper end of the strut leg and movably engaged with the other end of the brace to suspend such brace end above the ground, means for bracing said jack laterally in operative position comprising lateral supporting legs pivotally connected at their upper ends with the strut leg and, adapted to spread downwardly divergently to engage the ground, and foldable means connecting the lower ends of the lateral supporting legs with the suspended end of the brace.

13. In a lifting jack as set forth in claim 12, said strut leg including a pair of side walls and a rear wall, a pair of Wings extending rearwardly from said sidewalls adjacent the upper ends thereof, said wings being formed out of the body portion of said rear wall adjacent the upper end thereof by slitting said rear wall centrally in a longitudinal direction and transversely for defining a pair of flaps, said flaps deflected from the body of said rear wall into alinement with said side walls defining said wings, said supporting legs attachable to said wings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

